No More Red Light Cameras? Here's What Safety Harbor's Saying

Since we told you last week about a bill under consideration by the Florida House of Representatives that would strike down the use of red light cameras, Patch readers have had plenty to say on the topic.

Our story, Red Light Cameras: Should They Stay or Go?, received more than 120 comments as of Tuesday night. Here's what some Safety Harbor Patch readers had to say: 

JOHN MACMILLEN: "AS FAR AS I CAN SEE THE ONLY REASON POLITICIANS WANT RED LIGHT CAMERAS IS TO INCREASE REVENUE. THEY MAY REDUCE CERTAIN TYPES OF ACCIDENTS BUT THEY DEFINATELY INCREASE OTHER TYPES I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE LEGISLATURE BAN THEM ENTIRELY. ..." 

Robert Saltzman: "States, Counties and Cities are strapped for cash. They keep on having to come up with new revenue streams (i.e. our new street light fee). These are not new, but the powers look at the money they generate and say "why not" we are only punishing law breakers. Swim with sharks but don't miss a stroke as soon as you do they got ya. You're going to be told every violtaion potentionaly saved a life, so shut up and payt me! Another neat trrick is undercover cars hanging out in parking lots if you roll the stop sign in front of a Publix or inside a shopping plaza. Wham! So beware all you criminals you have been warned."

David Conkle: "Please contact your local state Senator to urge senate approval of the house bill. For Pinellas County we have the Honorable Senator Jack Latvala for north Pinellas County He may be contacted at latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov or by phone call at 727-556-6500. These red light camera programs are much more about creating revenue through taxation without adequate representation then about saving lives. Research the studies and data to find out the objective truth.

Do you agree? Should red light cameras be banned in Florida? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below to continue the conversation.